Top 9 Best Small Business Routers On The Market In 2023 Review

If your office network needs to be fast, secured, and reliable, you will want one of the best small business routers available.

From creating guest networks, transferring files, or just browsing the web, a good quality router can make all the difference.

It can lead to a much more productive work environment while keeping all your important documents secure and easily accessible to all your employees.

We are putting our top 10 favorites up against one another in the following roundup to find which one genuinely stands above the rest.

Top 9 Best Small Business Routers In 2023 Review

Product	WiFi Network	WiFi Speed	Ports	Price
Best Choice ASUS RT-AX88U AX6000 Dual-Band Wifi Router View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax	WiFi Speed AX6000 up to 6Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 8, and USB 3.1 x 2	Price $$$
Also Great Linksys Velop WiFi 6 Mesh Router View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax	WiFi Speed AX5300 up to 5.3Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 4, and USB 3.0 x 1	Price $$$$
Also Great NETGEAR Orbi Pro Tri-Band WiFi Router View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi Speed AC3000 up to 3Gbps	Ports WAN x 1 and LAN x 3	Price $$
Also Great Synology RT2600ac View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi Speed AC2600 up to 2.53Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 4, USB 3.0 x 1, and SD card	Price $$
Also Great NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad	WiFi Speed AD7200 up to 7.2Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 6, USB 3.0 x 2, and 10Gbps SFP	Price $$$
Also Great Linksys EA7500 Dual-Band Wifi Router for Home View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi Speed AC1900 up to 1.9Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 4, USB 3.0 x 1, and USB 2.0 x 1	Price $
Also Great Linksys EA6350 Dual-Band WiFi Router for Home (AC1200 Fast Wireless Router) View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi Speed AC1200+ up to 1.2Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 4, USB 3.0 x 1	Price $
Also Great Ubiquiti EdgeMax EdgeRouter Lite ERLite-3 View Price	WiFi Network Wired Only	WiFi Speed Wired up to 3Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 3	Price $
Also Great Norton by Symantec Granite Gray Norton Core View Price	WiFi Network 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi Speed AC260 up to 2.5Gbps	Ports WAN x 1, LAN x 4, USB 3.0 x 2	Price $$

1 ASUS RT-AX88U AX6000 Dual-Band Wifi Router, Aiprotection Lifetime Security by Trend Micro, Aimesh Compatible for Mesh WIFI System, Next-Gen Wifi 6, Wireless 802.11Ax, 8 X Gigabit LAN Ports – Best Large Office Small Business Router

First up is the powerful ASUS RT-AX88U. This small business router is dual-band and features the newest WiFi 6 standard.

WiFi 6 is also known as 802.11ax. You will only find WiFi 6 on brand new devices, but don’t worry, this router is backward compatible with 802.11a.

Blazing fast speeds…

This router features MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology across its 2.4 and 5ghz wireless channels.

OFDMA technology basically takes your WiFi 6 connection and divides each of its channels into smaller channels. This allows for lower latency when multiple devices are connected without affecting speed.

The 2.4ghz band can transmit at speeds up to 1147Mbps, and the 5Ghz channel can support speeds up to 4804Mbps.

Since this router has four antennas that can receive and transmit data at the same time, you can get a combined speed of up to 6Gbps. This is limited to the 5Ghz frequency, though.

Variety of ports to choose from…

On the rear of the RT-AX88U, you have a variety of ports to choose from. There are eight Ethernet LAN ports and one WAN port to connect to the internet with.

You will also have two USB 3.1 ports that you can connect external storage to or even a printer.

Multiple encryption protocols…

For your security needs, this router offers multiple encryption protocols to choose from. You can create various SSIDs and secure them with WPA3, WPA2, and WPS security protocols.

This router is intended for large offices or houses…

It incorporates Asus AiMesh technology so you can wirelessly connect multiple ASUS routers to extend your network coverage even further.

At the office, having a reliable network with internet access is vital. This router is dual WAN compatible.

You can connect a secondary internet connection via USB or LAN that will automatically take over if your primary connection is interrupted.

Our rating: (4 / 5)

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2 Linksys Velop WiFi 6 Mesh Router (WiFi 6 Mesh WiFi System for Whole-Home WiFi Mesh Network) MX10 Velop AX (2-pack, White) – Best Dual Node Small Business Router

Not all small business routers come cheap, and that is the case with the Linksys Velop. This is a two pack of their MX10 AX model routers.

Dual-node setup covers 6000 square feet…

This is a mesh router system that offers 6000 square feet of coverage. The overall coverage area can be extended further with any compatible Velop Mesh node.

It features AX5300 WiFi 6 technology capable of data transfer rates up to 5.3Gbps. This router has two 5Ghz and one 2.4Ghz WiFi bands that have MU-MIMO technology.

Quick, easy to set up…

You do not even need a computer to set this router up. Simply download the Linksys app on your Android or iOS device to get started.

Once you start the Linksys app, it will provide you with step by step instructions to connect your first node in only a couple minutes at most.

As you connect each node, it gives you the option to specify the network name and password you want to use. You can even label the location of the router, depending on which room you will use it in.

Lets you know the ideal distance to place one node…

This mesh router system can be connected via LAN from one node to another or wirelessly. The Linksys app even lets you know the ideal distance to place one node from the other.

Handles more than 100 devices simultaneously…

Each node supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi protocols and can collectively handle more than 100 devices simultaneously.

On the back of each node, you will also notice a USB 3.2 port. Unfortunately, this port only supports external storage devices.

Our rating: (4 / 5)

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3 NETGEAR Orbi Pro Tri-Band WiFi Router for Business with 3Gbps speed (SRR60) | 1 router covers up to 2,500 sq. ft. | Expandable as your business grows – Best Expandable Small Business Router

This next router from NETGEAR can cover a fantastic 2500 square feet. The NETGEAR Orbi Pro is a tri-band router that was intended for business use.

Step by step instructions…

Setting up this router is relatively simple through either the NETGEAR Insight app or via the web interface. No matter which way you use to set up this router, you will be provided with step by step instructions.

The Orbi Pro comes preconfigured with employee and admin SSIDs. Guests can also access the network through their own dedicated SSID with a customizable login page.

Since this is a tri-band router, you will have access to one 2.4Ghz and two 5Ghz bands that support speeds up to 3Gbps. This router is backward compatible from 802.11ac as well.

We like the tri-band backhaul connection…

You even have a dedicated tri-band backhaul connection with this router. This will leave you without any speed bottlenecks when you have multiple devices connected.

This router includes one WAN port and three LAN ports. There are no USB ports located on this router, so you will not be able to network a printer or media server.

Expandability…

NETGEAR has made the Orbi Pro easily expandable to cover as much square footage as you need.

Each additional satellite you add will increase the total coverage area by up to 2500 square feet. There is even a dedicated sync button to use for connecting any other satellites to the main router.

The Orbi Pro includes ceiling and wall mounting brackets, making it possible to place the router wherever you want.

Our rating: (4.3 / 5)

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4 Synology RT2600ac – 4×4 dual-band Gigabit Wi-Fi router, MU-MIMO, powerful parental controls, Threat Prevention, bandwidth management, VPN, expandable coverage with mesh Wi-Fi – Best 4G Small Business Router

The Synology R2600ac is another router that has dual WAN capabilities. Along with that, you will have multiple ethernet ports to directly connect to additional routers, computers, or even a network switch.

Onboard you have AC2600 technology allowing transfer rates up to 2.53Gbps. This dual-band router has four antennas that support MU-MIMO as well.

4G connectivity and SD file storage…

Most of the routers we have looked at feature USB ports for a file server or a printer to be connected to. The Synology RT2600ac features a USB 3.0 port but also includes a built-in SD card reader.

This SD card reader supports full-size SDXC or SDHC memory cards allowing for further network accessible storage.

You can also plug-in a 3G or 4G network dongle to the USB 3.0 port for internet connectivity as well.

Setting up this router is like the other routers we have looked at and is accomplished through a web interface. There is also a Synology DS router app you can download to control this router.

Exceptional coverage…

The overall coverage and security provided with this router are quite exceptional. You can further extend the range of this router, thanks to it being mesh-compatible.

You are limited to using Synology MR2200ac nodes for Mesh expandability. They are, fortunately, quite easy to set up and connect.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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5 NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router (R9000) – AD7200 Wireless Speed (up to 7200 Mbps) for 60Ghz WiFi Devices | Up to 2500 sq ft Coverage | 6 x 1G Ethernet, 1 x 10G SFP+, and 2 USB ports – Fastest Small Business Router

The NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 is the fastest router we are testing. It offers data transfer rates at up to 7.2Gbps.

Now that’s fast…

The X10 has AD7200 WiFi technology. AD7200 essentially allows you to stream data over a higher frequency. This allows for much faster transfer rates, but you will need to be within 11 feet of the router.

This router has 802.11ac, which is, of course, backward compatible for the rest of your devices to connect to.

You will find four antennas that feature Beamforming+ and MU-MIMO technology that allow for increased speed throughout your network as well.

Six Ethernet ports…

If you want to directly connect to this router, you will have six standard Ethernet ports to choose from. The first two Ethernet ports support link aggregation, essentially letting you combine two Ethernet connections and have them act as one.

10Gb SFP+…

To the right of the WAN port, you will notice a 10Gb port next to the power button. This port is ideal for connecting additional network switches or even a server to, because it offers a max speed of up to 10Gbps.

To get the full potential out of this connection, you will need a compatible network card, router, or switch. You will also need to purchase a DAC cable or two SFP+ modules and a fiber optic cable.

There are two USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the router, allowing you to network file storage or a printer…

You can set up this router through a web interface or with the NETGEAR Nighthawk® App that is available on Android and iOS.

The app will let you not only set up multiple wireless networks and their security protocols but also create a VPN connection.

If you have an Alexa™ device, you can even control the router through it. When all is said and done, this router covers up to 2500.

Our rating: (4.1 / 5)

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6 Linksys EA7500 Dual-Band Wifi Router for Home (Max-Stream AC1900 MU-Mimo Fast Wireless Router) – Best Affordable Small Business Router

You do not have to necessarily spend a lot of money to still get one of the best business routers available. The next two routers from Linksys prove just that.

More affordable, with transfer rates up to 1.9Gbps…

The first Linksys router we are looking at is the EA7500. It features dual-band AC1900 technology that will provide data transfer rates up to 1.9Gbps.

This router has three antennas to support 3×3 MU-MIMO technology allowing simultaneous receiving and transmission of data.

It also includes Beamforming technology to give you a more reliable wireless connection to your devices.

You have one WAN port for internet access as well as four Ethernet ports for direct connections.

That’s not all…

Located on the back of this router is one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 port. You can use either of these ports to connect to a network storage device.

It supports FAT, NTFS, and HFS+ formatted drives. If you want to add a networkable printer via one of the USB ports, you can do so as well.

This router was made for medium-size offices. It is compatible with all devices that support 802.11a to 802.11ac WiFi technology.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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7 Linksys EA6350 Dual-Band WiFi Router for Home (AC1200 Fast Wireless Router) – Best Budget Small Business Router

The Linksys EA6300 is the cheapest router we will be looking at today.

It offers exceptional performance even though it sits at a very low price point…

It features dual-band WiFi technology that is compatible with all 802.11ac devices and even older 802.11a devices as well. You can expect data transfer rates up to 1.2Gbps on the 5Ghz frequency.

But there is a catch…

You can only connect to 32 devices on each wireless band. This router has Beamforming technology to help increase network speed between devices.

We noticed that with each device you connect, you will still see a drop in speed, though. This is because this router does not have MU-MIMO on board.

Some loss in speed with regular use…

With the overall small number of connected devices this router can handle plus the fact it only covers a 1000 square foot area, you might not notice much loss in speed with regular use.

Fortunately, this router has four Ethernet ports along with one WAN port so you can connect another access point or connect directly to your PC.

Fast file transfer through USB 3.0 though…

You also have a USB 3.0 port for connecting external storage. The USB 3.0 is exceptionally fast at transferring files over your network.

Our rating: (4.3 / 5)

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8 Ubiquiti EdgeMax EdgeRouter Lite ERLite-3 512MB Memory 3 Ethernet Ports Router – Best Non Wireless Small Business Router

If you do not need wireless connectivity, then this Ubiquiti router should be right up your alley. The EdgeRouter Lite has three Ethernet ports for connectivity and provides speeds up to 3Gbps.

Since you do not have wireless access with this router, setup is as easy as plugging in your Ethernet cables and turning the router on.

It might not be wireless, but we’re still impressed…

Where this router really shines is with its Ubiquiti® Network Management System. The UNMS is the graphical interface you will use to control all the different features of this router.

This interface completely maps your network and lets you know any problem areas that you might have.

You can distribute different amounts of bandwidth to each client you have connected to the network. It even can store your network data for up to a year so you can analyze any sporadic long term problems throughout the network.

Take note…

Without wireless connectivity, you will be limited to what you can connect to this router. We find this router makes for an excellent hub.

This Ubiquity router could be connected to wireless access points and add more security to an existing wireless network. You could also use this to create a closed system between your most important computers.

Our rating: (4.3 / 5)

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9 Norton by Symantec Granite Gray Norton Core Secure WiFi Router, Built-in Network, Device and Antivirus Security, Smart Parental Controls, Replaces Wireless Router – Most Secure Small Business Router

The Norton Core by Symantec is a router that focuses on security first and foremost. The Norton Core provides enterprise-level protection that is ideal for large or small businesses.

Great transfer speeds…

This router is dual-band and has support for 802.11ac connections and also has MU-MIMO. It incorporates AC2600 WiFi technology allowing for data transfer speeds up to 2.5Gbps.

It has three LAN ports and one WAN for connecting to the internet. You will also find two USB 3.0 ports that only work with printers.

Norton Core Security Plus™…

This router includes a Norton Core Security Plus™ subscription that will actively monitor any device connected to the network.

This includes IoT devices like security cameras and even your thermostat.

To set up this router, you will need to have a smartphone handy and download the Norton Core app. You are not able to set this router up through a web interface.

Real-time security status…

Through the Norton Core app, you can view the real-time security status of your network and will point out any areas that might be at risk.

You can also set up your phone to receive push notifications to receive security alerts.

Be aware; it’s only free for a year…

The Norton Core only comes with a 1-year Norton Core Security Plus™ subscription, which you will have to pay to extend down the road.

Without the subscription, you will be losing out on some of the best features the router offers.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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Best Small Business Routers Buying Guide

The following features are what we find necessary to consider when buying a router for your small business.

Since all the small business routers we reviewed each have their own benefits, we recommend choosing one with a good mix of all-round features.

That way, it will cover your day-to-day needs while also providing some future-proofing.

WiFi Technology

Not all routers offer the same data transmission rates. WiFi speed can differ based on the protocols that you connect with.

The newest WiFi protocol is 802.11ax, also known as WiFi 6. With WiFi 6, you can get data transfer rates up to 9.6Gbps.

Unless your computer is very new, it will probably not have WiFi 6 compatible hardware. Do not fret though; almost all routers are backward compatible.

The different network protocols are 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax. You will notice that 802.11a is the slowest standard and speed goes up from there.

For example, an 802.11ac connection will provide transfer rates up to 3.5Gbps…

If you have an older laptop with a WiFi card that only supports 802.11n, you may only get up to 300Mbps.

The WiFi technology your PC uses will directly determine how fast you can transfer files and access files inside the network.

Your internet service provider’s connection speed will usually be the bottleneck when browsing the web.

Network Coverage

Whether your office is small or large, there are routers available to cover your entire office.

Routers have Ethernet ports on the back, so you can add additional access points to increase your overall coverage in case one router is not enough.

Newer routers sometimes feature mesh technology. Mesh technology lets you increase your network coverage area by adding additional nodes.

These compatible mesh routers can be connected to one another wirelessly or with an Ethernet cable. They typically have multiple radios built-in to them, allowing you to switch from node to node seamlessly without any loss in speed.

Business routers typically have multiple antennas that increase the overall coverage area. If your wireless signal must travel through numerous walls, then you can expect a decrease in signal quality.

Some routers come with Beamforming technology, which helps reduce signal degradation. Beamforming basically allows the router to transmit its wireless signal in a straight line to the device it is communicating with.

Routers without Beamforming technology can still produce exceptional signal quality nonetheless. You will typically notice a sharper drop in signal the further the way you are from the router.

MU-MIMO And OFDMA

MU-MIMO stands for Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output. This technology came around once the 802.11ac was introduced.

If your router has MU-MIMO technology, it will be able to send and receive data simultaneously. It separates data into multiple streams, thus making each device connect as if it has its own dedicated router almost.

OFDMA, on the other hand, stands for Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access. This technology debuted when WiFi 6 first started making an appearance as a network protocol.

OFDMA enables each channel to be divided into subchannels. When you have a lot of devices connected to your network, OFDMA groups those devices together and has them transmit simultaneously.

In an office setting, you will typically have a lot of people connected to the network at the same time. When OFDMA and MU-MIMO are working together, you will be able to connect up to four times the number of devices without clogging the network.

Wireless Networks And Security

With routers able to connect to so many different clients, you may need more than one wireless network for them to connect to.

Routers typically let you create multiple SSIDs. SSIDs stands for Service Set Identifier, aka the name of your wireless network.

You can often create a separate network for your employees and any visitors to your office. Through each router setup, you can even limit bandwidth between the wireless networks or devices.

When it comes time to secure your networks, you can typically choose between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 protocols. WPA2 is the most robust protocol, but it does require a lot of processing power.

Ports

Every router on our list has a WAN and Ethernet ports. Your WAN port is what you use to connect to the internet.

The LAN ports allow you to connect directly to your PC. They can also be used to connect additional routers or access points as well.

Some routers even have USB ports that can be used for a few things. Typically, they allow you to connect to external storage devices allowing your media to be shared throughout the network.

You will notice that USB ports have their own standards. USB 2.0 allows for data rates of 480Mbps, while USB 3.1 can handle 10Gbps.

If you are going to be connecting a lot of external storage to your router, a higher USB rating will definitely be noticeable.

These USB ports can often be connected to printers as well. Adding your printer to your network through your router will provide everyone in the office the ability to print wirelessly.

Starting A Small Business?

We have a few other informative office accessory reviews you may be interested in. So check out the Best Cordless Phones reviews and the Best Digital Voice Recorders reviews.

Long workday? Check out our Best Ergonomic Computer Desks review, the Best Budget Office Chairs review, and the Most Comfortable Office Chairs review too.

Certain bits and bobs can make all the difference to the smooth running of your small business. See our reviews for the Best Office Staplers, the Best Label Makers reviews, and the Best Computer Speakers.

Back to routers…

Final Thoughts On The Best Small Business Routers

Out of all the great choices available, we really loved the…

It provides the newest WiFi 6 technology. This dual-band router has all the bells and whistles. It has MU-MIMO and OFDMA dual-band technologies that allow for speeds up to 6Gbps.

The AX88U is ideal for small businesses thanks to its ability to create multiple networks. It offers a range of security features, including AiProtection Pro through Trend Micro™. You can even create networkable storage or add a printer to the network through the two USB 3.1 ports.

The mesh technology of this router also gives you some future-proofing down the line.

If you decide to move into a larger office, all you need to do is add an additional ASUS mesh compatible router to your existing network.

Happy routing…